Stretchable packaging device for containers

ABSTRACT

Stretchable and elastic packaging devices are disclosed herein wherein the packaging devices include a wraparound skirt adapted to be stretch mounted in elastic embracing and gripping engagement relative to articles, and an integral top adapted to overlie the articles when the packaging device is assembled thereto.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,837,478 Cunningham Sept. 24, 1974 [54]STRETCHABLE PACKAGING DEVICE FOR 3,441,129 4/1969 Johansen et a1. 229/87R X CONTANERS 3,447,675 6/1969 Kirby 206/65 S 3,460,671 8/1969 Harm206/65 s Inventor! Ernest Cunnmgham, Llbefiyvllle, 3,460,863 8/1969Schaich 206/65 E UX Ill. 3,557,516 1/1971 Brandt 206/65 S UX 3,570,6633/1971 Cunnin ham 206/65 E [73] Asslgnee: Louis 3,653,504 4 1972 saumsiele 206 65 E 22 Filed; July 29 1971 3,664,498 5/1972 Dulmage 206/45.33 X[21] Appl. No.: 167,385 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Related U SApplication Data 1,814,100 6/1970 Germany 229/DIG. 12 [63] fgyg gggjggfiPrimary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman 52US. Cl 206/427, 206/45.33, 206/820, Attorney Agent, 294/872 [51] Int.Cl... Bd 65/04, B65d 65/16, B65d /26 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search150/52 R; 206/45.33, 46 R,

20 /4 FR- 65 C 5 E7 65 s; 22 /1 2 114 stretchable and 612181110 packagmgdeVICCS are 229/87 R 89 52 B DIG. 294/872 closed herem wherem thepackaging devices include a wraparound skirt adapted to be stretchmounted in [56] References Cited elastic embracing and grippingengagement relative to articles, and an integral top adapted to overliethe arti- UNITED STATES PATENTS cles when the packaging device isassembled thereto. 2,884,328 4/1959 Johnson 229/D1G. 12 3,400,810 9/1968Makowski 206/65 C 9 Claims, 40 Drawing Figures Pmmwwwm 3.8 3. 478 saw109 s FIG IO #2 Pmaminw 3.837.478

SHEET 30F 5 INVENTOR. ERNEST R. CUNNINGHAM BY W'ZQXM PAIENIEBSEPMMIYNVENTOR. ERNEST R.CUNNINGHAM M214. Wflm STRETCIIABLE PACKAGING DEVICEFOR CONTAINERS The present invention is a continuation-in-part of myapplication Ser. No. 27,854 filed Apr. 30, 1970, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tipackage canned beverage and food productsusually in groups of six to form the well known 6-pack. Up to the timeof the plastic sheet carriers introduction in the late l950s, themultipackaging of canned products was accomplished through use ofpaperboard wraparound carrier devices, which, when compared with themany advantages afforded by plastic sheet carrier devices, could noteffectively compete with it and thus.

have become less popular. Among the many advantages of plastic sheetcarrier devices over paperboard carrier devices for canned productsinclude the lower cost of materials because less material is utilized,the lower cost of manufacture and assembly due to the adaption of suchcarrier devices to high speed manufacturing and assembly equipment, theease of removal of the carrier devices from containers and the abilityto quickly refrigerate the contents of the containers while held in theplastic sheet carrier devices.

Following the successful development of plastic sheet carrier devicesand assembling techniques therefor, efforts have been made to develop aplastic carrier device for non-returnable glass bottles and the like.Although there has been a great desire to create such a plastic carrierdevice for nonreturnable bottles and the like, the unavailability ofsuch devices in the market today makes it apparent'that the desire hasnot met with success. As a result, paperboard carrier devices are stillused to multipackage non-returnable bottles.

There are a number of factors which have been established as generalcriteria for a commercial plastic multi-pack carrier device for bottlesand the like. In addition to the requirement that a minimum amount ofmaterial be utilized in conjunction with the low cost of manufacture andassembly of carrier devices to bottles and the like, other factors haveincluded the adaptability of plastic carrier devices for bottles and thelike to economical and convenient storage and shipping, the availabilityof advertising decoration for the multipackage other than the bottlesthemselves, and the desire to provide light inhibiting characteristicsand protection against glass breakage both within and without themulti-package.

The plastic-multi-pack carrier devices for bottles and the like whichhave been developed up to this point in time have achieved some of theabove criteria as, for example, will be seen by comparing U.S. Pat. Nos.

3,084,792; 3,330,408 and 3,460,863. However, no prior art plasticmultipack carrier device has been capable of satisfying all of thecriteria identified above. It is believed that any commerciallysuccessful plastic multi-pack carrier device will have to meetsubstantially all, if not all of the above criteria in order to be used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedplastic multi-pack carrier device for articles such as non-returnablebottles and the like which functions to provide advantages heretoforeunobtainable from prior art devices.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide aplastic multi-pack carrier device for articles such as non-returnablebottles and the like which: relatively utilizes less material and has alower manufacturing and assembly cost than corresponding paperboardcounterparts, can be stored and shipped in a convenient and economicalmanner, is susceptible to advertising decoration, can provide lightinhibiting characteristics, and protects the bottles both within andwithout the package against damage.

The present invention is also directed to packaging devices such asoverwraps for stacked containers, boxes and the like and tamperproofclosure devices for bottles, jars and the like. Overwraps for stackedboxes and containers can provide an effective means for transporting thecontainers while the containers are kept sanitary and moisture-proof ina warehouse. At present, overwraps for stacked boxes or containers arenot used to any great extent since it is difficult to economically andeffectively fold and assemble a plastic sheet around stacked boxed orcontainers.

Insofar as tamperproof closures are concerned, there are instances whereit is desirable to provide a tamperproof closure or cover over theprimary closure device and adjacent neck section of the container togive assurance to the consumer that the contents of the product have notbeen changed or sampled. At the present time, such tamperproof closuredevices are in the form of heat or chemically shrunk devices which makethe processes for applying such closures cumbersome, complicated and, inthe case of chemically shrunk devices, unnecessarily messy. Productmanufacturers have long sought a technique which can compete effectivelywith existing heat shrunk or chemically shrunk tamperproof closuredevices while avoiding the aforementioned assembly problems.

It is, therefore, another object of the present invention to provide anew and improved overwrap for stacked boxes, containers, and the likeand a new and improved tamperproof closure, both of which can be quicklyapplied to articles with which they are to be used and easily removedfrom the articles when desired. g I

In order to make plastic multi-pack carrier devices, overwraps, plasticcover devices and the like available in the marketplace, the presentinvention also discloses new techniques for manufacturing such packagingdevices and for assembling packaging devices to one or more articles, asthe case may be.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide highspeed, low cost manufacture of packaging devices such as plasticmulti-pack carrier devices for bottles and the like, overwraps andtamperproof closure devices by new and improved techniques.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple andeffective high speed assembly technique for assembling packaging devicesof the aforementioned type to an article or articles.

These and other objects and advantages of the pres- I ent invention areobtained by the provision of the packaging device which is adapted to beassociated to at least one article, such packaging device being madefrom stretchable and elastic plastic material and including a wraparoundskirt and an integral top, the wraparound skirt being adapted to bemounted and stretched in elastic gripping engagement over at least saidone article while the integral top overlies the upper end of at leastsaid one article. The packaging device, which may be in the form of abottle carrier device, overwrap or tamperproof closure device, ismanufactured by selective die-cutting and heat sealing techniques as aninterconnected strip of devices, and can be assembled to an article orarticles by stretching thereof either prior to or after separation ofindividual devices from the interconnected strip of devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of acontainer package including a plurality of non-returnable bottles and aplastic multi-pack carrier device which is constructed in accordancewith the teachings of the present inventron;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the container package shown in FIG.1 of the drawings;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the container package shown in FIG.1 of the drawings;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the container package shown in FIG. 1 ofthe drawings;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the container package shown in FIG. 1 ofthe drawings;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of an interconnected strip ofplastic multi-pack carrier devices of the type utilized in the containerpackage of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in section, ofa plurality of containers or boxes arranged in a vertical stack whichare held together by an overwrap device constructed in accordance withthe teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, of aplurality of canned products supported within a box or carton and anoverwrap device which closes the canned products and carton;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in section, ofa bottle with a primary closure or cap, and a tamperproof closure deviceconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present inventionwhich is mounted over the primary closure or cap and a portion of thebottle;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of a strip of interconnectedtamperproof closure devices of the type illustrated in FIG. 9 which alsodepicts the method of manufacturing the tamperproof closure or coverdevices;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of an interconnected strip ofplastic multi-pack carrier devices of the type used in conjunction withthe container package illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an individual plastic multi-packcarrier device which has been separated from the interconnected strip ofcarrier devices depicted in FIG. 11 prior to assembly to articles suchas non-returnable bottles;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the plastic multi-pack carrier deviceof FIG. 12 which has been opened up from the flat or unopened positionof FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the technique ofexpanding the plastic multi-pack carrier device to a predetermineddimension greater than the circumference of the group of containers withwhich it is to be associated prior to telescopically assembling thecarrier device and bottles to each other;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a container package including a plasticmulti-pack carrier device and bottles which have been assembled byfollowing the steps or techniques illustrated by FIGS. 11-14 of thedrawings;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the container package illustrating anotherform of multi-pack carrier device which comes within the scope of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is an end elevational view of the container package includingthe plastic multi-pack carrier device of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a container package exhibiting anotherform of plastic multi-pack carrier device of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an end elevational view of the container package and carrierdevice depicted in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a containerpackage which exhibits yetanother form of plastic multi-pack carrier device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is an end elevational view of the container package and plasticmulti-pack carrier device of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a container package which shows yetanother form of plastic multi-pack carrier device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is an end elevational view of the container package and plasticmulti-pack carrier device of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary top plan view of an interconnected strip ofplastic multi-pack carrier devices of the type utilized in the containerpackage illustrated in FIGS. 16-17 of the drawings, adjacent carrierdevices in the interconnected strip being oppositely directed to eachother and arranged transversely of the strip;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary top plan view of an interconnected strip ofplastic multi-pack carrier devices used in the container packagedepicted in FIGS. 18-19 of the drawings, the carriers in theinterconnected strip being arranged longitudinally of the strip;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary top plan view of an interconnected strip ofplastic multi-pack carrier devices of the type used in the containerpackage illustrated in FIGS. 20-21 of the drawings, adjacent carriers inthe strip being aligned longitudinally of the strip;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary top plan view of an interconnected strip ofplastic multi-pack carrier devices of the type used in the containerpackage of FIGS. 22-23, each carrier device in the strip beinglongitudinally aligned with the strip;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a thickened fingerhole gripping means which may be used with one or more containerpackages herein illustrated;

FIG. 29 is a said elevational view of a container package with a plasticmulti-pack carrier device in yet another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 30 is a bottom plan view of the container package with the plasticmulti-pack carrier of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier designed withan end handle at opposite ends thereof;

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier designed withan integral top handle configuration, the carrier itself having noapertures to receive the necks of necked containers therein;

FIG. 33 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier designed withan integral top handle of another I configuration;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier designedhaving another form of top handle configuration with light occluding tabmeans at opposite ends of the carrier;

FIG. 35 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier designed withyet another form of top handle configuration and light occluding tabmeans, but having no apertures therein to receive the necks of neckedcontainers;

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier design withfinger hole gripping means and no apertures to receive the necks of thenecked containers therein;

FIG. 37 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier design whichincludes reinforced finger hole gripping means, but without theapertures to receive the necks of necked containers therein;

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier design withboth reinforced finger hole gripping means and light occluding tabmeans;

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of a plastic multi-pack carrier design withcombined finger hole reinforcement and light occluding tab means; and

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of a plasticmulti-pack carrier design withcombined reinforcement of the finger hole gripping means and bottle neckapertures as well as the light occluding tabs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The packaging device of thepresent invention is made from stretchable and elastic plastic materialin order that the packaging device can be extended or drawn out bystretching, with or without deformation thereof, while also permittingthe packaging device to be spontaneously returned to or toward itsformer size or shape by elasticity after being stretched and/ordistorted. While the invention is not restricted to a particular type ofplastic material, it has been found that one preferred type of materialis low density polyethylene. This material permits the packaging deviceto be stretched and/or deformed over an article or articles whilepermitting the elastomeric characteristics of the material to springback or tend to return to its former position into elastic grippingengagement relative to the article or articles. As used herein,therefore, a packaging device made of stretchable and elastic plasticmaterial is to be given the above meaning.

Reference is now made to the drawings for a specific description of thepresent invention.

The first embodiment to be described is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 of thedrawings. There it will be seen that a container package is shown whichincludes a plurality of glass bottles all of which are held together bythe plastic multi-pack carrier device 14. Each of the bottles 12 has abottom or base 16, a body or side wall portion 18, a reduced neckportion 20, and a crown or cap 22 which is crimped or placed over theopen upper end (not shown) of the reduced neck portion 20 to which thecrown or cap 22 is applied. The body or side wall portion 18 of eachbottle 12 is provided with upper and lower annular enlargements 24, 26respectively which are thickened or reinforcing segments formed on eachbottle 12 at locations where the bottles 12 would be subject to the mostcontact between the bottles themselves and other elements. While theannular enlargements 24, 26 are not required in forming a containerpackage 10, the annular enlargements 24, 26 for each bottle 12 aredesirable as will become apparent.

The plastic multi-pack carrier device 14 of the present invention ismade from stretchable and elastic plastic material, such aspolyethylene, and includes a wraparound skirt 28 and a top 30 integrallyconnected therewith. As best seen in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, thecarrier device 14 conformably engages or is mounted in contour fittingengagement relative to the plurality of bottles 12. Specifically, thewraparound skirt 28 is configured, arranged and dimensioned relative tothe group of containers 12 in order that it can be stretched mountedthereover in elastic embracing and gripping engagement relative to atleast a portion of the exposed or outer body portions 18 of thecontainers 12 arranged as a group. It will also be noted that the upperarea 32 of the wraparound skirt 28 necks-in in the vicinity of thereduced necks 20 of the bottles as well as forms a tight fittingscalloped configuration (see FIG. 4) in the vicinity of the crowns orcaps 22 of the bottles 12. The wraparound skirt 28 further includes askirt extension 34 which conformably engages the exposed or outerportions of the lower annular enlargements 26 of the bottles 12 whilealso underlying and engaging at least a portion of the bottoms or bases16 of the containers 12. When a plastic multipack carrier device 14 isstretch mounted over bottles 12 such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 of thedrawings, the bottles 12 will be held together as a group withincontainer package 10. Specifically, wraparound skirt 28 of the carrierdevice 12 causes the upper and lower annular enlargements 24, 26 of eachbottle 12 to be brought into abutting engagement with one another sothat bottles 12 are protected against any substantial rattling againstone another within the container package 10. The bottles 12 cannot movelaterally because of the wraparound skirt 28 of the carrier device 14being stretch mounted in tight fitting engagement relative to the bodyportion 18. Moreover, the upper area 32 and skirt extension 34 of thewraparound skirt 28 engage upper and lower sections of the bottles 12,as has been described, and prevent any substantial relative upward ordownward movement of the bottles 12 to each other. Thus, the bottles 12are restricted from substantial movement in the container package 10,leaving only corresponding upper and lower annular enlargements 24, 26respectively of adjacent bottles 12 to be in contact with one another inthe container package 10. This arrangement limits the possibility of thebottles causing breakage against one another within the containerpackage 10.

Further, because the wraparound skirt 28 and integral top 30substantially envelop all but a portion of the bases or bottoms of thebottles. 12, any shattering or breaking of the bottles 12 within thecontainer package 10 will be confined within the container package 10,thus reducing the possibility of injury caused by flying glass debris.It is expected that, if desired, the skirt extension 34 of thewraparound skirt 28 can be extended even further to provide totalencapsulation of the bottles 12 within the container package 10. Inaccomplishing this embodiment of the invention, the extended area of theskirt extension 34 may require suitable folding and/or heat sealing ofoverlapped areas thereof.

It will be appreciated that when the plastic multipack carrier device 14is stretch mounted over the containers 12, the wraparound skirt 28,while stretched beyond its original shape, is not stretched beyond itsmodulus of elasticity. Thus, because the material has sufficientelasticity, the skirt seeks to spring back and return to its originalshape; however, in so doing, it elastically embraces and grips thecontainers 12 in the manner described above. Where material such as lowdensity polyethylene is used, it is contemplated that while somedeformation of the carrier probably will occur, it will not be of amagnitude to restrict or interfere with the elastomeric characteristicsof the carrier in the wraparound skirt 28 to interfere with its tendencyto spring back or return to its original shape. It is conceivable aswell that a carrier material can be compounded which provides stretchingof the wraparound skirt 28 without deformation and with the elastomericcharacteristics necessary to achieve the elastic embracing and grippingengagement of the bottles 12.

In order to permit transporting or carrying of the container package 10,the integral top 30 of the carrier device is positioned above the crownsor caps 22 of the bottles 12 and is provided with finger hole grippingmeans 36 which are commonly used in the multipackaging industry. Thefinger holes 36 are preferably provided with reinforced or strengthenedperipheries, as will be discussed hereafter, to prevent ripping ortearing of the plastic material top 30 when the container package iscarried by use of finger hole gripping means 36.

The carrier device 14 also may be provided with light occluding tabmeans 38 at opposite ends of the package which are integrally connectedto the wraparound skirt 28 and adapted to be folded into openings, atopposite ends of the package, and frictionally retained by theundersurface of the integral top 30. The specific construction of thelight occluding tab means 38 and the manner in which they are foldedrelative to the container package 10 will become better understood fromthe discussion that is to follow in connection with the manufacture ofcarrier devices 14 and their assembly relative to bottles 12. Forpresent purposes, it will suffice to say that the carrier device 14, byreason of the wraparound skirt 28 and integral top 30, together withlight occluding tabs 38, can substantially inhibit light from gainingaccess to the interior of the package, providing that the particularmaterial of which the carrier device 14 is made also has lightinhibiting characteristics. The container package 10 thus can be usedfor packaging products such as beer, where the producer deems itimportant that light access to the interior of the package issubstantially restricted. Where light inhibition is not a factor, thecarrier device 14 can be made of a transparent or semi-transparentmaterial in order to expose labels (not shown) which may be attached orprinted on the bottles 12. Alternatively, advertising or otheridentifying indicia can be printed on the wraparound skirt 28, integraltop 30, and/or skirt extension 8 34, preferably prior to assembling thecarrier devices to bottles 12 as will become apparent.

In order to remove the bottles 12 from the carrier 14, a tear stripfeature (not shown) is advantageously employed to permit ripping ortearing of the wraparound skirt 28 and/or integral top 30. Since tearstrip features are common expedients, a specific description thereof isbelieved to be unnecessary.

Since the plastic multi-pack carrier device 14 is self conforming orcontour fitting relative to a group of articles such as bottles 12, animportant advantage is obtained in that a plastic multi-pack carrierdevice 14 is capable of being used with similar articles of differentsize. For example, it is well known that beverage bottles aremanufactured in quite a number of different sizes and shapes. It iscontemplated that a plastic multi-pack carrier 14 of particular size andshape can conform or adapt itself to a variety of different bottleshapes within the limits defined for the size and shape of the multipackcarrier, and its stretchability and elastomeric characteristics. Throughsuitable empirical testing, a predetermined number of carriers can bedesigned to accommodate various bottle sizes. This is a distinctadvantage both over other plastic and paperboard bottle carrier designswhich do not permit the adaptability of the carrier to different bottlesizes.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 11-15 of the drawings for aspecific discussion of the methods of producing carrier devices 14 in aninterconnected strip 40 of carrier devices 14 and for thereafterassembling the carrier device 14 to articles such as bottles. It will beunderstood that the carrier devices 14 are generally manufactured at onelocation by a carrier manufacturer and then shipped to various beverageand bottling companies for assembly of the carrier devices 14 tobottles. Accordingly, it is desirable that the carrier device 14 bemanufactured as an interconnected strip 40 of carrier devices 14 inorder that the strip can be suitably wound about a carrier reel forstorage and shipping to the beverage or bottling company.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 11, the interconnected strip 40 includes aplurality of carrier devices 14 each having a wraparound skirt 28 and afolded-in-half top 30 integrally connected therewith. Light occludingtab means 38 extend from the wraparound skirt at opposite ends of eachcarrier device 14. In the interconnected strip of carriers 14, thewraparound skirt 28, in the form of an endless tube, is flattened sincethis shape not only facilitates manufacture of the carrier devices 14 asan interconnected strip 40, but also enables the interconnected strip 40to be wrapped about a reel for storage and shipping purposes. Theintegral top 30 is similarly flattened and assumes the shape of aninverted U- shaped configuration when flattened.

In manufacturing an interconnected strip 40 of carrier devices 14, theindividual carrier devices 14 are formed by selective die-cutting andheat sealing a flattened plastic tube to provide a one-piece devicewhich includes wraparound skirt 28, integral top 30 with finger holes36, light occluding tabs 38, and, if desired, skirt extension 34. Theflattened tubing may be either extruded and blown to the shape oflay-flat or flattened tubing or alternatively, opposite edges of anextruded plastic sheet can be attached to form the lay-flat or flattenedtubing.

In order to form the individual carriers 14, a cutting die (not shown)having a shape corresponding to the configuration desired. such as theshape of the light occluding tabs 38, the integral top 30 and the fingerholes 36 in FIGS. 6 and 11, is selectively brought into contact with theflattened or lay-flat tubing at desired intervals to produce the desiredshape. The cutting die also preferably forms a frangible or weakenedconnection 42 between adjacent carriers 14 for subsequent separation andassembly of individual carrier devices to articles such as bottles.

In order to complete the manufacture of individual carrier devices 14 inthe interconnected strip 40, it is necessary to heat seal or otherwiseattach the upper edges of the light occluding tabs 38 and the integraltop 30 as at 44 for the purpose of attaching the precut unattachedsections on opposite sides of the flattened or lay-flat tube to eachother to form the desired configuration. It is to be noted that in thearea 46 of each carrier device between the light occluding tab means 38and the integral top 30, there remains unattached an unattached portion46 in order to permit opening up of the carrier device 14 when assembledto articles. It will also be appreciated that the unattached portions 46of each carrier device 14, which define the side edges of the integraltop 30, will form an opening 47, when the carrier device 14 is assembledto bottles, enabling the light occluding tab means 38 to be insertedtherein and held by frictional engagement. The openings 47 that areformed are best seen by the FIGS. 13-14 illustrations. By tucking orinserting the light occluding tab means 38 into the openings 47, thevarious elements forming the carrier device will cooperate to inhibitlight exposure to the contents of the containers, providing the materialfrom which the carrier device is made is also light inhibiting.

It will be noted that the wraparound skirt 28 of each carrier device 14is longitudinally aligned relative to the flattened or lay-flat tubingfrom which the interconnected strip 40 of carrier devices 14 is made. Aswill be apparent in connection with the discussion of other carrierembodiments, the wraparound skirt 28 of each carrier device 14 in theinterconnected strip 40 may be longitudinally, transversely or otherwisealigned relative to the interconnected strip depending upon theparticular shape and design that is desired and efficient utilization ofthe tubing to keep waste to a minimum.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11-15 of the drawings for a specificdescription of the method of assembling carrier devices 14 to articlessuch as bottles 12. Preferably, an interconnected strip 40 of carrierdevices 14, as best seen in FIG. 11, is handled by automatic packagingmachinery however, because the assembly of carrier devices 14 toarticles can be performed by manual or semi-automatic apparatus, thefollowing described procedural steps are employed.

Individual carrier devices 14 are first preferably, though notnecessarily, separated from the interconnected strip 40 as is seen inFIG. 12 of the drawings. The lower end of the wraparound skirt 28 ofeach carrier device 14 is opened as at 48 in order to enable theflattened area 14 of FIG. 12 to be opened up to a position such as shownin FIG. 13 prior to stretching of the carrier 14. When the carrierdevice 14 has been opened up to the FIG. 13 position, the wraparoundskirt 28 and the integral top 30 will thus assume their generallydefined shape.

As seen best in FIGS. 11-12 where the carrier device 14 is shown as aflattened or lay flat tube, the width of the integral top 30, whilebeing slightly greater than the maximum dimension of the group ofbottles 12, is substantially less than the width of wraparound skirt 28.This is desired because the width of the integral top 30, coupled withthe openings 47 at opposite edges thereof, allows the integral top 30 toassume a generally horizontal position when the carrier 14 is opened upsuch as shown in FIG. 13. This arrangement permits wraparound skirt 28to be stretched substantially independently of and to a greater degreethan the integral top 30 for engagement with the body portion 18 of thebottles 12, as will be presently described. In other words, as can beviewed from FIGS. 12-13, top 30 will not be stretched as much as skirt28 when top 30 is collapsed from its vertical, lay flat position in FIG.12 to the substantially horizontal position of FIG. 14.

With the carrier device 14 in the FIG. 13 condition, it is then possibleto stretch and enlarge the wraparound skirt 28 of the carrier device inorder to assemble the carrier device 14 to bottles 12. In this regard,it is to be understood that dimensions and the circumference C of thewraparound skirt 28 as seen in FIG. 13 of the drawings are substantiallyless than the corresponding outer dimensions and circumference generatedby the plurality of bottles 12 when considered as a group. Thus, whenitis desired to assemble the carrier device 14 to the bottles 12, thewraparound skirt 28 thereof is stretched and expanded from its initialcircumference C to a circumference greater than the outer dimension andcircumference formed by bottles 12 when considered as a group. This isillustrated in FIG. 14 of the drawings where the arrows A are intendedto represent expansion of the wraparound skirt 28 in the aforementionedmanner.

When the wraparound skirt 28 is thus expanded and v the carrier 14 ispositioned adjacent the group of bottles 12 as seen in FIG. 14, it isthen possible to telescopically mount the stretched wraparound skirt 28of the carrier device 14 over the group of bottles 12 by relativemovement of the carrier 14 and group of bottles 12 to each other. Afterthis has been accomplished, the wraparound skirt 28 of the carrierdevice is released from its stretched condition, and due to theelastomeric characteristic of carrier device 14, the wraparound skirt 28is released to provide an embracing and gripping engagement of device 14with the bottles 12 to hold them together as a group and form thecontainer package 10 as illustrated in FIG. 15 of the drawings. Lightoccluding tabs 38 are also shown in this figure inserted within openings47.

Preferably, the length of each wraparound skirt 28 is such that uponreleasing the stretched wraparound skirt 28 after being assembled overthe group of bottles 12, a skirt extension 34 will be formed and broughtinto a position which is beneath and in contact with at least the lowerannular enlargement 26 of the bottles. The position of the lower annularenlargement 26 will be determined by the shape of the bottles 12. Forexample, where the bottles have a bulbous or rounded configuration inthe lower one half of the bottles 12, the lower annular enlargement 12is determined by the maximum dimension of the bulbous or roundedconfiguration and thus will be axially displaced upwardly.

The method of assembling carrier devices 14 to articles such as a groupof bottles 12 is thus accomplished through the aforementioned steps.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 16-40 for a description of other plasticmulti-pack carrier embodiments which are covered by the presentinvention. In each of the embodiments hereinafter described, similarreference numerals which correspond to like elements in the FIGS. 1-5embodiment will be employed with sequencial alphabetical suffixes todistinguish from the various embodiments.

Attention is first directed to the FIGS. 16-17 container package aembodiment and the interconnected strip 400 related thereto as shown inFIG. 24 of the drawings. The container package 100 of FIGS. 16-17differs from the container package 10 of the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment inthat the integral top 30a includes a plurality of apertures 50corresponding in number, placement and size to receive the reduced necksa of the bottles 12a. Because of this, the integral top a is positionedbelow the crowns or caps 22a of the bottles 12a; however, the apertures50in the integral top 30a are sufficiently restricted in dimension suchthat the apertures 50 are incapable of being positioned over the body orside wall portion 18a of the container 12a. This causes the integral top30a to be positioned slightly below the crown or cap 220 of the bottle12a such that a user can insert his fingers into the finger holegripping means 36a for conveniently carrying the container package 10a.I

In the container package 10a of FIGS. 16-17, it will also be noted thatthere are openings 52 at opposite ends of the package due to theelimination of ligh occluding tab means as compared with the FIGS. 1-5embodiments. The wraparound skirt 28a also does not extend below thelower annular enlargement 26a or beneath the bottoms or bases 16a of thebottles, although this is preferred as in the FIGS. l-5 embodiments.However, even without a skirt extension such as 34 in the device ofFIGS. l-S, it is believed the bottles 12a will be sufficiently abuttedto preclude any significant breaking or rattling.

At opposite ends of the carrier 14a, there is provided heat sealedsections 54 which are used to form the carrier 14a as will be seen by areference to FIG. 24 of the drawings. The interconnected strip 40a ofcarriers 14a are formed by first providing flattened or lay-flat plastictubing of the type described and then selectively diecutting and heatsealing the tubing in the manner illustrated. Specifically, wraparoundskirts 28a have the endless tubes or sections thereof extendingtransverse to the longitudinal axis of the interconnected strip 40illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 11. Further, adjacent carriers 14a in theinterconnected strip 40a are oppositely directed to another. This designis achieved by diecutting two staggered cuts 56 from opposite edges ofthe tubing which are interconnected by die-cuts 58 at each end of thecarrier device 14a and then heat sealing carrier device 14a on one sideonly of each staggered cut 56 in the area of the wraparound skirt 28a.In other words,- the only area of the carrier device 14a that is heatsealed is on the inside of each staggered cut 56 only in the area of thewraparound skirt 28a of the carrier devices 14a. Thus, when theindividual carrier devices 14a are separated from and assembled toarticles such as bottles 12a, the carrier device 14a will assume theshape as is illustrated in FIGS. 16-17 of the drawings where an opening52 is provided at opposite ends of the container package in the upperareas of the carrier device 14a with a vertically extended heat seal 54also being provided at opposite ends of the package in the lower area ofthe wraparound skirt 28a.

It will be understood that the reference to die-cuts 56 in FIG. 24 andelsewhere herein is intended to mean a weakened or frangible line orseparation between adjacent carrier devices 140 in order that thecarriers 14a can be separated from one another for assembly to bottles12a or the like. It is not desired to have an entire separation of thecarriers 14 in the die-cutting operation; however, it is appreciatedthat one could have a die-cutting step where the carriers 14 are cutseparate from each other at that time.

The container package 10b of the FIGS. 18-19 embodiment is provided bythe interconnected strip 40b shown in FIG. 26 of the drawings. It willbe seen that when the carrier 14b is assembled to bottles 12b, itresembles the container package 10a of the FIGS. 16-17 embodiments;however, the interconnected strip 40b, which is employed to form carrier14b, in FIG. 26 differs materially from the interconnected strip 40a inFIG. 24.

With the exception of the heat sealed portion 44b which extends acrossintegral top 30b and the size of the opening 52b, the container package10b in the FIGS. 18-19 embodiments is similar to the container package10a in FIGS. 16-17 embodiments. However, carrier 14b is formedsubstantially different than the carrier 14a. Specifically, theindividual carriers 14b in the interconnected strip 40b are formed withthe wraparound skirt 28b thereof longitudinally aligned with thefiattened or lay-flat tubing from which the carrier 14b is formed. Itwill be noted that rectangularly shaped segments 60 are removed fromopposite edges of the tubing in the area of the integral top 30b of eachcarrier 14b to permit the integral top 30b to be opened up more, as thewraparound skirt 28b is opened up for application to bottles 12b.

As in the interconnected strip 40 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 11, theintegral top 30b of each carrier 14b is heat sealed as at 44bimmediately adjacent the weakened or frangible line of severance 42b toprovide the individual carriers 14b with a wraparound skirt 28b and atop 30b integrally connected therewith. The heat sealed portion 44b,because it extends in thespace between the finger hole gripping means36b, acts to strengthen the material surrounding the finger grippinghole means 36b to facilitate gripping and carrying thereof.

In certain cases it may be desirable to provide a double thickness,overlapped portion for the finger hole gripping means area of thecontainer package. This is illustrated in FIGS. 20-21 of the drawingswhere the container package 10c is depicted as well as FIG. 26 of thedrawings where the interconnected. strip 40c is shown.

In FIGS. 20-21, it will be noted that the container package is similarin material respects with the container package 10b of FIGS. 18-19embodiment with the exception of the double thickness, overlappedportion in the finger hole gripping area of the carrier 14b. As can beseen from FIG. 26 of the drawings, the integral top 300 of each carrier14c is formed with three full circle apertures 50c and two fingerapertures 62 and a material portion 64 which extends therebeyond to thefrangible or weakened line of severance 420. In the in terconnectedstrip 400 of carrier 140, there are only die-cuts therewith since it isunnecessary to heat seal or otherwise attach portions of the carrier toone another for reasons which will now become apparent.

In assembling the carrier devices 14c to the bottles 120, the wraparoundskirt 280 is stretched and applied to the bottles in the usual mannerwith the unattached flap of the top 300 applied over the neck of thebottles 12c through the bottle neck apertures 500. When this has beenaccomplished, the finger hole apertures 62 of the unattached flap formedin the top 30c will become registered with one another while thematerial portions 64 at the ends of each unattached flap overlap theaforementioned flap by a predetermined amount. At this point, theoverlapped flaps may be attached together by an adhesive, by heatsealing, by stapling or other suitable fastening means to provide adouble thickness reinforced finger hole gripping section for thecontainer package 10c.

It will be noted that the interconnected strip 40c of carrier 140 issimilar in all respects with the interconnected strip 40b of carrier 14bin FIG. 25 of the drawings with the exception of the full circleapertures 62 and the extended material portion 64 in the interconnectedstrip 40c of FIG. 26. This difference is, of course, for the purpose ofproviding the double thickness, reinforced finger gripping section forthe container package 100 of the FIGS. 20-21 embodiment.

In addition to providing a'double thickness, reinforced section for thefinger gripping area of the container package, it is also possible toprovide the double thickness, reinforced section for the bottlereceiving apertures of the container package. This is best illustratedin the FIGS. 22-23 embodiments, together with the corresponding FIG. 27embodiment illustrating the interconnected strip 40d of carriers. Itwill become apparent from studying these figures of the drawings thatthe double thickness, reinforced finger gripping area and the bottlereceiving apertures of the carriers 14d are provided by forming fullcircle finger gripping holes 62 and a full number of bottle receivingapertures 50d in each flap, on opposite sides of the tubing,corresponding to the number of bottles 12d in the package. As will beseen in FIG. 27 of the drawings, six bottle receiving apertures 50d areprovided in each flap on oppposite sides of the tubing.

Thus, in assembling the carrier 14d to the bottles 12d, the wraparoundskirt 28d is stretched and applied over the containers 12d while each ofthe flaps forming the top 30d are positioned in overlappingrelationships to one another. As can be seen in FIGS. 22-23 of thedrawings, if desired, the overlapped flaps can be attached by anadhesive, heat sealing, or other suitable fastening techniques.

In lieu of providing double thickness, overlapped sections to strengthenthe finger gripping and bottle apertures of the carriers, it may bedesirable to form apertures in the interconnected strip of the carriersby a heat fusion cutting technique to create a thickened bead aroundeach aperture and this is represented by FIG. 28 of the drawings wherethe thickened bead 66 surrounding an aperture formed in a plastic heatcarrier is shown. Such a thickened or strengthened bead 66 is desirableparticularly for the finger hole gripping means of the carrier devices.Strengthening the material around each finger gripping or bottleaperture may also be achieved by forming one or more compressed grooveformations in the material around the apertures.

The embodiment of FIGS. 29-30 is intended to show a container package Wewherein the carrier l4e presumes a contour fitted shape relative tobottles l2e which are shaped like Coke bottles. The bottles l2e haveupper and lower annular enlargements 24e, 26e respectively with adjacentbottles l2e in the container package 10e having upper and lowerenlargements 24e, 26e in contact with one another. This is brought aboutby the stretch mounted wraparound skirt 28e which forces the upper andlower enlargements 242, 26e and adjacent bottles l2e into contact withone another. The integral top 30c of the FIGS. 29-30 embodiment ispositioned in overlying relationship relative to the crowns or caps 22eof the bottles l2e while the skirt extension 34e of the wraparound skirt28e underlies and contacts the bottoms or bases 16e of the bottles l2e.The bottles l2e are thus held in a preferred snug, non-shiftingrelationship by the carrier Me which envelops the bottles l2e aspreviously described.

While several embodiments of plastic multi-pack carrier devices andinterconnected carrier strips have been shown and described herein, itwill be apparent that many modifications and variations of the above arepossible. Examples of such modifications and varia-.

tions are depicted in FIGS. 31-40 of the drawings where a number ofdifferent carrier designs are illustrated.

In FIG. 31 of the drawings, a pair of end handles 68 are provided ascarrying means. The handles 68 which may be provided at one or both endsof the carrier device can be used to replace the finger gripping holes36f in the carrier 14f if desired.

Carrier 14g in FIG. 32 of the drawings is provided with an integralcarrying handle 70 which is centrally located and extends verticallyupwardly for gripping thereof by a user. The handle 70 is formed bytaking a pinch pleat and heat sealing along the line 72 just below theslot cut-out 74, the latter being of sufficient size in order to enablethe user to insert his fingers therethrough for gripping the handle 70during carrying of the package. It will be noted that the carrier device14g does not have any bottle receiving apertures, it being intended thatthe top 30g overlie the articles or containers engaged by the carrierdevice 14g.

In the carrier device 14h illustrated in FIG. 33 of the drawings, anintegral U-shaped handle 76 extends from the integral top 30h to providea top carrying handle. It will be appreciated that the handle 76comprises a pair of U-shaped sections formed on opposite sides of theflattened or lay-flat tubing which may be heat sealed together to form aunitary handle if desired.

In FIG. 34 of the drawings, an integral top handle 78 also extends fromthe integral top 30i as in the last two described embodiments.Additionally, light occluding tab means 38i are provided at oppositeends of carrier device 141' to inhibit light exposure to the contents ofthe articles adapted to be mounted within the carrier device 14i.

The top handle configuration 80in the FIG. 35 embodiment also differsfrom the last three described embodiments in the handle configuration aswill be ob- 15 adapted to be associated relative to the integral top 30jhaving no apertures provided therein.

The carrier 14k in FIG. 36 has finger hole apertures 36k only providedin the integral top 30k which is attached to the wraparound skirt 28k.

A reinforced finger hole design is illustrated in FIG. 37 of thedrawings. There the reinforcing of tabs 82, having finger hole 36]provided therein, are left during die-cutting of the carrier from thetubing and then folded under the integral top 301 in order to reinforcethe centrally positioned finger hole apertures 36! formed in theintegral top 301. If desired, the reinforcing tabs 82 may be attached tothe other surface of the integral top 301 by any suitable fasteningmeans.

The FIG. 38 embodiment combines the reinforced tabs and light occludingtabs of the previous embodiment. Specifically, it will be noted that thereinforcing tabs 82 extend outwardly laterally from the integral top 30mand are integrally connected to the light occluding tabs 38m whichextend upwardly from the wraparound skirt 28m of the carrier 14m. Thereinforcing tabs 82 of the finger gripping means are first foldedunderneath the integral top and this causes the light occluding tabs 38also to be disposed underneath the integral top 30m.

FIG. 39 shows an embodiment wherein the finger hole reinforcing tab 84has a dual function. When folded in over the integral top 30n andpreferably attached thereto by any suitable techinque, the tabs 84 actto retain the other rows of containers by engaging the necks of suchcontainers within the apertures 15n thereof.

In the FIG. 40 embodiment, the tab 84 is provided on the right side ofthe carrier 140 while on the left side of the carrier, a reinforcing tab86 is included. This arrangement is such that the tabs 84, 86 aredesigned to reinforce all the finger gripping and bottle apertures inthe carrier 140.

It will be understood that the above described and illustrated plasticmultipack carrier embodiments of the present invention representexemplary embodiments only. Other embodiments will become apparent whenthe carrier device of the present invention is fully understood.

In addition to plastic multi-pack carrier devices, the present inventionis directed to packaging devices which are useful in the generalpackaging industry. For example, there are numerous instances whereoverwraps for one or more articles, or tamperproof closure or coverdevices for a container are desired. In connection with these moregeneral types of packaging devices, reference is made to FIGS. 7-10 ofthe drawings.

In FIG. 7 of the drawings, a container package 90 is illustrated asincluding a plurality of stacked boxes for containers and a plasticoverwrap device 94. The stacked containers or boxes may be of any sizeor shape, such as those found in warehouses or smaller varieties aswould be available in groceries, drug stores,

and the like. The overwrap device 94 is made from stretchable andelastic plastic material and includes a wraparound skirt 96, a top 98integral therewith, and a skirt extension 100 which underlies andengages the lowermost container or b in the stack. The container package90 thus formed provides a convenient method of packaging or wrapping aplurality of articles such as stacked boxes or containers 92. It isappreciated that suitable carrier material will have to be employed forvarious applications.

Preferably, the overwrap or packaging devices 94 are manufactured andassembled to articles by techniques similar to those described above. Inthis connection, reference is made to FIG. 10 of the drawings whereinthere is shown an interconnected strip of said packaging devices 94which are also formed by flattened or lay-flat tubes. Each packagingdevice 94 is produced by providing a heat sealed area 112 at spacedlocations along the tube in a direction which is transverse to the axisthereof. Either prior to or after the heat sealed areas 112 are formedalong the length of the tube, the transverse line of severance 114 isprovided in the heat sealed areas 112 in order to separate theindividual packaging devices 94. It will be understood that the line ofseverance 114 may be formed in each heat sealed area 112 after the heatsealed area 112 has been formed in the tubing or alternatively, thetransverse line of severance or frangibility 1 14 may first be providedin the tube and the heat sealed area 112 formed on opposite sidesthereof.

To complete the formation of the packaging devices 94, the tube islongitudinally cut or severed as at 116 along one edgethereof in orderto provide the open end for each packaging device 94. It will beapparent that the interconnected strip 110 of carrier devices 94 couldalso be produced by folding in half an elongated length of stretchableand elastic plastic material, and then providing the heat sealed andline of severance 112, 114 respectively at both locations. By somanufacturing carrier devices 94, an open end will automatically beprovided, thus making it unnecessary to sever or cut the interconnectedstrip 110 as at 116 when a flattened or lay-flat tubing is initiallyutilized.

In FIG. 8 of the drawings, a container package 120 is illustrated asincluding a rectangular open-top tray or carton 122 into which areplaced a plurality of beverage cans 124, and a packaging device 126,having a wraparound skirt 128, an integral top 130, and a skirtextension 132. The packaging device 126 is similarly made fromstretchable and elastic plastic material in order that it may be stretchmounted over the carton 122 with cans 124 therein as is illustrated. Itwill be apparent that the packaging device 126 may be used to package aplurality of cans 124 arranged in two juxtaposed rows without the needfor the tray or carton 122. It will be further understood that theoverwrap or packaging device 126 is manufactured by techniques similarto those described herein, with particular reference to FIG. 10 of thedrawings.

The container package illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings differssomewhat from the previous embodiment in that packagingdevice 142 isutilized to provide an overwrapor cover device for the upper end of thebottle or container 144. The bottle 144 is shown as providing a reducedneck section 146, and an enlarged annular section 148 in the vicinity ofthe open mouth (not shown) of the bottle 144 over which is ap plied thecrown or cap 150. The packaging device 142 serves, in this embodiment,as a tamperproof closure or cover for the upper end of the bottle 144.Specifically, the tamperproof closure or cover device 144 is made fromstretchable and elastic plastic material in order that it can be contourfitted relative to the upper end of the bottle 144. As will be seen inFIG. 9 of the drawings, the tamperproof closure or cover device includesa wraparound skirt 154 which closely conforms to the enlargement 148 andthe side of the closure or cap 150, a top 156 integral with thewraparound skirt 144 which overlies the upper surface of the closure orcap 150, and a skirt extension 158 which underlies the enlargement 148and conformably engages the portion of the reduced neck area 146immediately below the enlargement 148. The tamperproof closure or coverdevice 142, when it is mounted in contour fitting engagement relative tothe bottle 144, gives assurance to the ultimate user of the contents ofthe bottle 144 that it has not been previously sampled or changed in anyrespect.

The tamperproof closure or cover device 142 is preferably manufacturedby techniques similar to those described in connection with FIG. of thedrawings. Where cost factors permit, it is desirable that thetamperproof closure or cover device be provided with a tear stripfeature in order to aid the user in removing the tamperproof cover orclosure device 142 from the bottle 144.

It will be understood that the shape and type of bottles 144 illustratedin FIG. 9 of the drawings is depicted and described in exemplary senseonly. Many different types of bottles, jars, and other containers ofvarious shapes and sizes, with manually or non-manually removable metal,plastic, cork, etc. closures can usefully employ a tamperproof closureor cover device 142. It will be understood that the particular size andshape of the packaging devices above described may be modified to suitthe particular desire. This will depend upon the article or articles tobe engaged by the packaging device.

From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that the presentinvention discloses a unique packaging device that has many potentialapplications in the multipackaging and general packaging industries. Theuse of the packaging devices will further be enhanced by the hereindisclosed method of manufacturing packaging devices and for assemblingpackaging devices to an article or articles which adapt themselves tohigh speed operations.

I claim:

1. A packaging device made of stretchable and elastic plastic materialfor a plurality of containers arranged in a group, comprising aflattened tube wraparound skirt which is dimensioned relative to saidcontainers in order to be stretched for elastically gripping thecontainers substantially about the entire circumference thereof, and aflattened inverted U-shaped integral top which is of lesser dimensionthan and is centrally located, open, and unattached relative to spacedopposite upper areas of the flattened tube wraparound skirt in order toassume a horizontal position overlying said containers when saidpackaging device is assembled thereto.

2. A packaging device for a plurality of containers arranged in a group,comprising lay flat tubing made of stretchable and elastic plasticmaterial and including a flattened wraparound skirt and integral top,said flattened wraparound skirt having a width in its lay flat formsubstantially greater than said flattened top and being opened up andmounted in stretched and elastic gripping engagement around the group ofcontainers, and said flattened top having through openings at oppositeside edges thereof to enable said top to be opened up to assume ahorizontal position overlying said containers.

3. A carrier device adapted to carry a plurality of articles arranged inside by side relationship, said carrier device comprising lay flattubing made of stretchable and elastic plastic material and including awraparound skirt and a top integral therewith, said wraparound skirtbeing substantially circumferentially continuous and having a width inits lay flat form which is substantially greater than said integral top,said wraparound skirt being dimensioned relative to said plurality ofarticles in order to provide a stretch mounted wraparound skirt which isadapted to elastically embrace and grip the articles at leastsubstantially about the entire circumference of said articles and overat least a portion of the height thereof to enclose and hold thearticles therein, said integral top being folded-in-half in its lay flatform with opposite unattached side edges throughout the height thereofin order to permit said integral top to unfold and overlie said articleswhen said carrier device is assembled to said plurality of articles. I

4. A container package including a plurality of adjacently positionedcontainers and a lay flat tube packaging device made from stretchableand elastic plastic material, said lay flat tube packaging device havinga flattened tube circumferential skirt for engaging the sides of saidcontainers, a flattened tube integral top for covering the upper ends ofsaid containers and an open bottom, the flattened tube circumferentialskirt of said packaging device having greater width areas in its layflat form than said flattened tube integral top on opposite sidesthereof, the flattened tube integral top throughout its length atopposite side edges thereof and the flattened tube circumferential skirtthroughout its greater width areas in the vicinity of the upper portionsthereof being open and unattached, the open bottom of said packagingdevice enabling said packaging device to be mounted over saidcontainers, and said packaging device being positioned over saidcontainers with the flattened tube circumferential skirt being opened upand mounted in stretched and elastic gripping engagement around thesides of said containers while the flattened tube integral top is openedup for covering the upper ends of said adjacently positioned containers.

5. The container package as defined in claim 4 wherein said packagingdevice further includes a substantially unstretched skirt extension forunderlying said containers.

6. The container package as defined in claim 4 wherein one of saidcircumferential skirt and integral top includes tab means forassociation with the other of said circumferential skirt and integraltop.

7. The container package as defined in claim 4 wherein said top includesa plurality of apertures adapted to receive the necks of neckedcontainers.

8. The container package as defined in claim 4 wherein the containersarepositioned in an open-top carton prior to the stretch mounting of saidpackaging device over said containers, the circumferential skirt of saidpackaging device also being stretched mounted around the sides of saidopen-top carton.

9. The container package as defined in claim 4 wherein said adjacentlypositioned containers are arranged in a vertical stack.

1. A packaging device made of stretchable and elastic plastic materialfor a plurality of containers arranged in a group, comprising aflattened tube wraparound skirt which is dimensioned relative to saidcontainers in order to be stretched for elastically gripping thecontainers substantially about the entire circumference thereof, and aflattened inverted U-shaped integral top which is of lesser dimensionthan and is centrally located, open, and unattached relative to spacedopposite upper areas of the flattened tube wraparound skirt in order toassume a horizontal position overlying said containers when saidpackaging device is assembled thereto.
 2. A packaging device for aplurality of containers arranged in a group, comprising lay flat tubingmade of stretchable and elastic Plastic material and including aflattened wraparound skirt and integral top, said flattened wraparoundskirt having a width in its lay flat form substantially greater thansaid flattened top and being opened up and mounted in stretched andelastic gripping engagement around the group of containers, and saidflattened top having through openings at opposite side edges thereof toenable said top to be opened up to assume a horizontal positionoverlying said containers.
 3. A carrier device adapted to carry aplurality of articles arranged in side by side relationship, saidcarrier device comprising lay flat tubing made of stretchable andelastic plastic material and including a wraparound skirt and a topintegral therewith, said wraparound skirt being substantiallycircumferentially continuous and having a width in its lay flat formwhich is substantially greater than said integral top, said wraparoundskirt being dimensioned relative to said plurality of articles in orderto provide a stretch mounted wraparound skirt which is adapted toelastically embrace and grip the articles at least substantially aboutthe entire circumference of said articles and over at least a portion ofthe height thereof to enclose and hold the articles therein, saidintegral top being folded-in-half in its lay flat form with oppositeunattached side edges throughout the height thereof in order to permitsaid integral top to unfold and overlie said articles when said carrierdevice is assembled to said plurality of articles.
 4. A containerpackage including a plurality of adjacently positioned containers and alay flat tube packaging device made from stretchable and elastic plasticmaterial, said lay flat tube packaging device having a flattened tubecircumferential skirt for engaging the sides of said containers, aflattened tube integral top for covering the upper ends of saidcontainers and an open bottom, the flattened tube circumferential skirtof said packaging device having greater width areas in its lay flat formthan said flattened tube integral top on opposite sides thereof, theflattened tube integral top throughout its length at opposite side edgesthereof and the flattened tube circumferential skirt throughout itsgreater width areas in the vicinity of the upper portions thereof beingopen and unattached, the open bottom of said packaging device enablingsaid packaging device to be mounted over said containers, and saidpackaging device being positioned over said containers with theflattened tube circumferential skirt being opened up and mounted instretched and elastic gripping engagement around the sides of saidcontainers while the flattened tube integral top is opened up forcovering the upper ends of said adjacently positioned containers.
 5. Thecontainer package as defined in claim 4 wherein said packaging devicefurther includes a substantially unstretched skirt extension forunderlying said containers.
 6. The container package as defined in claim4 wherein one of said circumferential skirt and integral top includestab means for association with the other of said circumferential skirtand integral top.
 7. The container package as defined in claim 4 whereinsaid top includes a plurality of apertures adapted to receive the necksof necked containers.
 8. The container package as defined in claim 4wherein the containers are positioned in an open-top carton prior to thestretch mounting of said packaging device over said containers, thecircumferential skirt of said packaging device also being stretchedmounted around the sides of said open-top carton.
 9. The containerpackage as defined in claim 4 wherein said adjacently positionedcontainers are arranged in a vertical stack.